Israel’s plan to annex swathes of the West Bank would constitute a serious violation of international law

Israel’s plan to annex swathes of the West Bank would constitute a serious violation of international law and have significant consequences for the country’s relationship with Europe, EU Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday.

 

In a short statement to the European Parliament, Borrell said that any annexation of Israeli-occupied territory in the West Bank would negatively affect regional stability and damage the prospect of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Borrell did not reveal what action the EU would take in the event of annexation – citing time constraints – but said it would have “significant consequences for the relationship we currently enjoy with Israel.” He urged the Israeli authorities ‘to avoid such a step before it is too late”.